The Wasp — 1879 — page 641: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains three distinct literary/satirical pieces rather than political cartoons: 1. **"Nil Desperandum"** - A poem encouraging perseverance through hardship, using the metaphor "paddle your own canoe" (self-reliance). 2. **"Sweetheart"** - A romantic poem describing a beloved woman through elaborate flower and nature imagery. 3. **"Before and After" cartoons** - Two humorous illustrations labeled "Sup-Port" and "Sup-Herb" depicting a man's transformation, likely satirizing excessive drinking or dining habits. The wordplay on "sup" (to take supper/drink) suggests social commentary on alcoholism or gluttony, showing the physical and behavioral deterioration caused by overindulgence. The page mixes sentimental verse with satirical humor typical of 19th-century American periodicals.